CHINA CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM
IN ASSOCIATION WITH AMERICAN CHINA EDUCATIONAL REGISTRY (WASHINGTON, DC, and HONG KONG, CHINA) and CHINA SERVICES INTERNATIONAL (BEIJING)
Background information:
Over the past four decades, learning English has been a fashion in China. There has been nothing more popular than English learning in this country. When the new economic system in China is currently calling for thousands of specialists who know English well, knowing English has become so important for a successful career.
Pre-school children are learning English for fun, primary schools are managing to offer English courses for enhancing their teaching prestige; middle schools and high schools are crazy about the quality of their English education, university students are struggling with Band 4 and Band 6 National English Proficiency Tests to get advantages in the job markets.
Mission Statement:
Co-operating with China Services International (CSI), a Beijing based division of State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA) and China Association for International Exchange of Personnel (CAIEP), AMERICAN CHINA EDUCATIONAL REGISTRY (ACER) works to promote Sino-American educational exchange programs by placing AAUW Members to teach English at rural or underdeveloped areas all over China. Through co-operation with AAUW, ACER will bring 500 -1,000 teachers of English to the China TEFL market, which will greatly help to build strong social and cultural ties between these two great countries.
Aims and general objectives:
* To promote educational volunteering for those who want to contribute in China
* To strengthen the international ties between America and China
* To cultivate profound understanding in multicultural and multi-ethnic surroundings
* To sponsor community development through diligent contribution of teaching
Training:
This program includes a five day Tefl and Cultural Immersion Training at our facilities in Qingdao, China (An Ocean City and Home of the 2008 Sailing Olympics). You will receive you International TEFL Certification at the end of the training session, which are classified into three categories:
20-hour TEFL courses: “How to Teach English in China”, given by TEFL experts who have already been teaching in China for years;
6-hour Culture courses: “Chinese Laws, Cultures and Social Taboos”, given by local Chinese professors.
4-hour Mandarin courses: “Survival Pu-tong-Hua (Mandarin)”, given by our staff
In addition, you will receive “Certification” by America China Education Registry which will qualify you for this Program. This is a "cultural" Certification.
Program Dates:
The program is divided into Three Season -
·Summer (July and August)
·Fall Semester (September through December)
·Spring Program (Late February through June)
·You may participate in as many terms as you like or choose just one.
·Specifics Program Dates are available upon email request.
During the project period, the AAUW Volunteers will live and teach in groups. Main activities will include:
·Teaching English with the local English teachers
·Grading assignments for your students
·Making lesson plans at your own and with assistant
·Taking part in staff meeting once a week (e.g. Wednesday afternoon)
·Organizing English Saloon/Drama/extra curriculum activities
·Taking part in some sport games with the students
·Preparing exam papers
·Making records for mid- or final examinations
·Playing with your students/providing companionship, if applicable
·Visiting families of your students, if applicable
This placement is created based on the assumption that one is wishing to share love, knowledge and friendship with Chinese school students.
 Due to China’s poorly designed curriculum and partly due to the fact that some westerners are not trained to teach English as a foreign language under China settings, we will offer textbooks, lesson plans and even in-classroom assistant. Very often, we will provide you with several Chinese assistants inside the classroom who will help with communication.
You will find Chinese students are more often shy in classroom when asked to practice – this is partly because their Chinese English teachers at the school are so unaccomplished in proper English pronunciation that they discourage and even intimidate their students from attempting to speak in English in many cases. Thus, your main job is to regain the courage of your students whilst evoking their interests in learning the language.
Another major obstacle for your Chinese students to overcome is that of “losing face.” They are afraid to make a mistake and to be laughed at by their peers. It is essential to tell the students that the reason they are students is that they are there to learn. The students are constantly reminded to leave their “face” at home, then they have nothing to lose in class. It takes a while for this concept to sink in but when it does – the personal growth exhibited by each student is heartwarming to the point of tears of joy! ?
Class size is big on average, normally around 40-50 or even more pupils inside one classroom. You need to be VERY patient, flexible, and able to attract the students with games, fun-playing activities, arousing their interest of studying English. Although class size poses serious problems, the atmosphere should be created friendly and conducive to students producing and practicing their oral English with each other under the supervision of a native English speaker. Remember your role is not only a “lecturer” but also one “facilitator.”
The Program
(1) You will be provided all food and housing in a family’s home in your community.
(2) In addition, you will be paid 1,000 rmb (approximately$150) monthly for incidentals.
(3) You will receive free Mandarin Lessons.
(4) You will have your weekends free for travel and relaxation
(5) You will be welcomed into the hearts and souls of your Chinese Hosts.
BONUS: For each completed Semester you will receive a 4,000 RMB Bonus.
Who Can Apply:
As long as you are a Member in Good Standing with AAUW, open-minded, cooperative, adventurous, ready to accept a new culture, good health, interested in teaching, we will extend our welcome to you.
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Participants Travel to China Independently. Travel within China to host community is paid by the Program.
Getting Started：
Complete the Enclosed Application An ACER Staff member will contact you in a few days to discuss the program, your preferred schedule, and answer any questions you may have.
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